The Fright Before Christmas

The Fright Before Christmas; Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters
Jeff Belanger
New Page Books
ISBN 978-1-63748-015-1
$22.00

Frustrated with the tiresome consumerist cheer of Christmas but unwilling to reject it outright, Jeff Belanger decided to peel back the tinsel and tape to reveal the more frightening traditional aspects of Yuletide. In bringing the monsters and ghost stories of Christmases past to the center of his understanding of the holiday, Belanger reveals a version of Christmas that is in many ways more accessible to folks who might feel a bit more comfortable at Halloween. The Fright Before Christmas; Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters is well researched, insightful and, above all, fun.

Exploring the dynamic of hope and fear that is tied up in the light and dark aspect of the Solstice, Belanger reveals the way that Yuletide monsters compel by touching upon the primal. He begins by exploring various Midwinter celebrations—Christmas, the Solstice, Yule and Saturnalia—before delving into the various frights they keep away. In chapters on Gryla, Belsnickel, the Mari Lwyd, La Befana, the Yule Lads and others, Belanger explores the origins of each and shares their stories. He weaves many a tale frightening enough to keep you up through the longest night!